Pet Therapy for Cancer Patients

Pet therapy, something also referred to as animal-assisted therapy, has been gaining popularity. From animal visits for children in hospitals to those with dementia, and now people with cancer, studies suggest there are some important benefits obtained from these furry visitors.

Mayo Clinic oncologist Dr. Edward Creagan says, "A pet is a medication without side effects that has so many benefits. I can’t always explain it myself, but for years now I’ve seen how instances of having a pet ​are like an effective drug—it really does help people."

What are some of the ways that pet therapy has helped those struggling with physical and mental illnesses, and what are researchers starting to learn about its role in cancer treatment? We will look at the potential benefits, potential risks, and how to access pet therapy as a patient or future volunteer.

History of Pet Therapy

Animals have been companions to humans since recorded time, but the use of this companionship to foster health and well-being has only recently taken off as a complementary therapy. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) was first used to assist those with mental illnesses beginning in the 1800s. It was found to be a helpful adjunct to psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud. Animals as companions to those with physical illnesses became recognized only as recently as 1976 when Therapy Dogs International—followed closely by the Delta Society (now called Pet Partners)—was founded.

Pet therapy has been used and studied in many forms. Research has looked at both pet ownership as well as visiting pets and how they can relate to overall health.

What Animals Are Used for Pet Therapy?

The type of animals that have shared their lives with people who are ailing is also diverse. Most commonly studied have been dogs (canine therapy) with the most popular breed for pet therapy being golden retrievers. But, benefits have been found via companionship with cats, birds, farm animals, and even dolphins.

General Benefits

Many studies have been done that have evaluated both the physical and emotional effects of pet companionship. With regard to pet ownership, studies have found health benefits and the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement in 2013 saying evidence suggests pet ownership reduces cardiac risks.

Focusing on visiting pets—animal-assisted therapy—many physical and emotional benefits have been witnessed. Some of these have included:

• A decreased need for pain medications in those who suffer from chronic pain: For people with chronic pain, pet therapy (dogs) was associated with a significant reduction in pain and emotional distress.
• Lowered stress levels
• A calming effect in patients with dementia
• Improved mood
• Decreased anxiety in hospitalized patients
• Decreased loneliness and social isolation, and a sense of emotional connection
• Pet therapy may even enhance the will to live

As an added plus, it’s been found that pet therapy not only helps those with physical and emotional needs but appears to benefit the entire family, as well as the hospital nursing staff in those who are hospitalized.

Benefits for Cancer Patients

Fewer studies have been done looking at pet therapy for people with cancer than with other conditions such as Alzheimer's, but those that have focused specifically on cancer patients have shown promising results. One study on radiation therapy patients found that those people who had dog visits rated their health as better than those who did not have dog visits as part of their therapy. Another study noted that pet therapy during chemotherapy improved depression as well as blood oxygenation (the amount of oxygen carried in the blood). Other studies on people with cancer have found that AAT:

• Decreased pain and was helpful as a way to decrease the need for pain medication
• Decreased psychological distress
• Decreased fatigue

These studies continue, and results have been mixed, so conclusions should be regarded as preliminary and not definitive.

Children with Cancer and Pet Therapy

Recently, a 2018 study looked at the effect of pet therapy on pediatric cancer patients from both a physical and psychosocial standpoint. They found that pet therapy was associated with a reduction in pain, irritation, and stress, as well as a tendency towards improvement in symptoms of depression.

The therapy appeared to have benefits for the caregivers of the children as well, with a reduction in anxiety, tension, and mental confusion noted.

Why Does Pet Therapy Work?

There are several theories that have attempted to explain why pet therapy helps those with physical and mental conditions. Intuitively it seems that relaxation as well as buffering the stressors would play a role.

Pet Therapy and Stress Hormones

Researchers have actually found a physiological basis for this effect. A study on healthcare professionals who were visited by a pet therapy dog found that those who had time with the dog had a significant decrease in cortisol levels in the blood. This "biological" stress reduction was noted with as little as five minutes of time spent with the dog. Another study found that AAT decreased catecholamines in the blood.

To understand the significance of this, chemicals in our bodies such as cortisol and the catecholamine epinephrine (adrenaline) are known as stress hormones. These chemical messengers do have a place and a role in the functioning of our bodies. As instigators of the “fight or flight” response, they are what make us alert if we hear a prowler in the middle of the night, or have to fight off a lion in the jungle. On the other hand, chronic increases in these stress hormones have been linked with heart disease and possibly even cancer and cancer recurrence.

Pet Therapy and Endorphins

Pet therapy appears to affect another type of chemical in our bodies as well— endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals secreted by the body that act as the body’s natural pain relievers. They are responsible for what has become known as the runner’s high. At least one study has found that animal-assisted therapy has resulted in an increased level of endorphins in patients who have spent time with a dog.

Risks

Though research has found pet therapy to be safe even for hospitalized patients, it’s important to note a few potential concerns. (This is assuming that the pets have been screened to provide pet therapy and are up to date on immunizations.) Potential problems may include:

• Behavior problems: Animals, just like people, do not act perfectly all the time, even those who are carefully trained.
• Allergies: Some people have allergies to animals.
• People who are immunosuppressed: People who have bone marrow suppression, for example, due to chemotherapy, should talk to their oncologist before considering pet therapy.
• Disease transmission: There is a small risk that diseases carried by animals may be transmitted to humans. These are known as zoonotic diseases. With animals that are carefully screened, the risk of zoonotic diseases should be small.
• Fear of animals: Pet therapy is not a good idea for people who are frightened by animals such as dogs.
• Respect for the animal: As a final note it’s important to think of the creature on the other side of therapy. Animals that are used for therapy should not be exploited or placed in situations that could be uncomfortable or harmful.

How to Access Pet Therapy as a Patient

If you are looking for a way to add pet therapy as a complement to your cancer treatment plan, it is best to start with your cancer treatment center. Discuss it with your healthcare provider and others on your medical team. They may have a formal program or they may be able to accommodate your wishes.

That said, simply having a pet or spending time with a family member or friend's pet may have benefits. Of course, it's important to first make sure the pet is well-behaved and up-to-date on immunizations, and some oncologists prefer that people receiving cancer treatments spend time with older animals in contrast to a young puppy or kitten. As far as the best type of animal, it's really up to you. What would bring you comfort? Taking time to think about what pet you would have really wanted as a small child may give you some ideas. Many of these childhood dreams, though we think we've outgrown them, have some merit today. Perhaps you can do some "pet therapy" while at the same time indulging yourself in a finally fulfilled childhood dream.

How to Get Involved as a Volunteer

If you are interested in getting involved with pet therapy as a volunteer, there are many organizations that can help you get started. First, if you wish to use your own dog, you'll need to see if your dog is a good fit for the program. The next step is to see if your dog passes the "Canine Good Citizen Test" developed by the American Kennel Club. You can search by state to find evaluators who can administer the test.

Once your dog is certified, there are several organizations that can assist you in finding people in your community that could benefit from pet therapy. Some of these include:

• Therapy Dog International
• The Delta Society
• The Good Dog Foundation

It’s important to note that pet therapy isn’t limited to dogs. Research has found benefits from therapy cats as well as other animals.

A Word From Verywell

Pet therapy for people with cancer cannot be underestimated as a potential adjunct for helping to manage the many side effects related to cancer and cancer treatments. It's only recently, however, that medicine has begun to focus not only on treating cancer, but the quality of life for those being treated. Certainly one "therapy" such as spending time with your dog, is probably not enough to restore you emotionally and physically to your pre-cancer self. But combining activities such as this with other activities that can elevate your mood and enjoy "being normal" for awhile can add together.

The research is young, so we don't know what the effect on a person's quality of life might be when adding together several of these therapies. For example, adding in a little music therapy, art therapy, meditation, or qigong to your daily routine. Fortunately, and unlike the treatments used to address cancer cells in our bodies, there are very few side effects to worry about. In fact, the greatest side effects may be that you fall in love with a dog, develop a love for a new music, or discover that you have always wanted to paint.

There are many negative aspects to having cancer, but we are learning that cancer can change people in positive ways as well. One of those ways may be discovering things you enjoy that you otherwise would never have considered!